Stink bugs can cause an absolute menace if you love gardening. More than the putrid smell they can give off as a defense, they have a special affinity for attacking citrus fruit and tomato plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And if you\u2019re unlucky, they can even bring their havoc indoors during the cooler months, where they find places to hide in your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But what about ladybugs? Aren\u2019t they supposed to help keep other critters from harming your garden? Do stink bugs eat ladybugs<\/em><\/strong>? <\/p>\n\n\n\n No, most stink bugs do not eat ladybugs, though there are a few predatory species and related species that may prey on ladybugs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In this article, we\u2019ll go over all the details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n There are more than 250 types of stink bugs<\/a> found in the United States alone, and the vast majority are commonly known as plant feeders, which means that they attack the fruits of plants, and then feed on the juices that they produce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The vast majority of stink bug species are commonly known as plant feeders, which means that they attack the fruits of plants, and then feed on the juices that they produce.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Stink bugs especially like apples, berries, peaches, and beans, although they have a real love for tomato plants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, there are a few species of stink bug that are predatory<\/a> and will kill other insects for food. Most of the bugs these predatory stink bugs eat are garden pests, so these killers are generally good <\/em>for your garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This means that instead of feeding on plants, these stink bugs will feed off other insects indiscriminately as an adequate food source. Including ladybugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many people believe that stink bugs eat ladybugs in general, because of the confusion surrounding the difference between stink bugs and assassin bugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Assassin bugs are often confused with stink bugs<\/a>, but they are not the same. For starters, assassin bugs, come in more than 3000 different species, and prey on other insects like aphids, leafhoppers, and caterpillars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With so many kinds of assassin bugs living on this planet, they can be found in many diverse environments \u2014 from rainforests to wood piles, and chicken coops to both vegetable and ornamental flower gardens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the one thing that can be agreed upon is that assassin bugs are natural pest control, although they do see every insect as prey. This means assassin bugs will devour beneficial critters like the bees that pollinate and <\/em>the ladybugs that eat annoying garden predators like aphids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Assassin bugs are natural pest control, although they do see every insect as prey. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Stink bugs can enter your home through any tiny little crack in your home’s exterior, as well as through vents, pipe penetrations, etc. Check to make sure these places are fully sealed (this is good practice and will help keep out many pests<\/a>). They can even come through window screens that are torn or not fully seated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If stink bugs come inside your house, they will only come in for winter to escape the cold, where they can hide undetected until they become active again when the spring arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This means that typically, they won\u2019t eat anything when they enter your home, so you won\u2019t have to worry about them raiding your kitchen cupboards for flour, sugar, or cookies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, if the majority of stink bugs don\u2019t eat ladybugs, does it happen the other way around? Let\u2019s take a look\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n No, ladybugs do not eat stink bugs. That would be unladylike!<\/p>\n\n\n\n No, ladybugs do not eat stink bugs. That would be unladylike!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Most species of ladybug only eat aphids, scale bugs, mites, fruit flies, mealybugs, and other pests that attack plants. That is why farmers and gardeners like them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having ladybugs on farmland is a form of natural pest control without the need for pesticides, not unlike welcoming geckos around your patio<\/a>. But if you have a stink bug issue, ladybugs won\u2019t be able to help in any way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nDo Stink Bugs Eat Ladybugs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Sneaky Assassin (Bug)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhat Else Do Stink Bugs Eat?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nDo Ladybugs Eat Stink Bugs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n